In this post, we are going to learn how to install and upgrade Node-RED onto our Raspberry Pi devices, like PLC (or Programmable Logic Controller) and Panel PC.

With the same command provided by Node-red's website, we will be able to install Node-RED and upgrade an existing install when a new release is available.

Finally, we will learn how to run Node-RED as a service, autostart on boot, and finally, open the Node-RED editor for creating amazing flows!

1. Requirements
2. Install Node-RED
3. Run Node-RED without Internet
4. Run Node-RED as a service
5. Autostart Node-RED on boot
6. Open Node-RED editor
7. Get some ideas!

In order to install Node-RED, follow these steps:

1. Update & upgrade the package manager.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

2. Ensure npm is able to fetch and build any binary modules.

sudo apt install build-essential git curl

3. Install Node.js, npm and Node-RED. This script will work on any Debian-based operating system, including Ubuntu and Diet-Pi.

bash <(curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/node-red/linux-installers/master/deb/update-nodejs-and-nodered)

If you add --help  at the end of the line, you will see more parameters so that you can use them if you need them:

For more information, please visit: nodered.org >>> 

If you want to install Node-RED locally without Internet, please go to

By default, the provided script from step 3 above, also sets it up to run as a service, which means that it can run in the background.

The following commands allow you to work with the service:

1. node-red-start
2. node-red-stop
3. node-red-restart
4. node-red-log

Enable the service to autostart by running the following command:

sudo systemctl enable nodered.service

To disable the service, run the command:

sudo systemctl disable nodered.service

Once Node-RED is running, you can access the editor in any browser: recommended Chromium, Chrome or Firefox-ESR.

Find the hostname of the Pi by running:

hostname -I

Use the hostname or IP-address of the Pi:

http://<hostname>:1880

Once running, start developing your own Node-RED applications!

Get some ideas in our Raspberry Pi Blog >>>